FAI to bid to stage Euro 2020 matches

Aviva Stadium is running to host four Euro 2020 finals games after FAI confirms intention to bid

The Football Association of Ireland has confirmed that it will bid to host four games at the 2020 Uefa European Championships.

At a board meeting it was decided to back a bid for at three group games and a knockout tie, as the new-look competition will be staged across 13 separate countries. Uefa general secretary Gianni Infantino spoke on Friday about the plan for the competition. "The matches of the Euro will be split into 13 packages," Infantino said. "12 cities will have three group-stage matches and one knockout round match and one city will host the two semi-finals and final. There will be only one venue per country and it means the semi-finals and final will be played in the same venue."

Two of the stadiums used for the finals will have a minimum capacity of 30,000 spectators, while the rest will hold 50,000 or more, with the final restricted to 70,000+ capacity arenas. The Aviva Stadium can host 51,700 fans, and was a successful venue for the 2011 Europa League Final.

London, Rome, Berlin and Madrid are all expected to bid to host the Euro 2020 Final, while Paris is unlikely to enter the running as it is due to host the final four years earlier. Uefa is due to draft a bidding proposal in March, providing more details and requirements for the host associations.